SUMMARY On 21 January 1995, the FIFI was drifting in the bay Comeau, Quebec, waiting for pilots before proceeding up the St. Lawrence. Radar and a small-scale chart were being used to monitor the vessel's position. The current drove the vessel on to the Battures de Manicouagan, Quebec. Factual Information Particulars of the Vessel On 21January 1995, the tanker FIFI was transiting on the St.Lawrence River after a transatlantic voyage, bound for Montreal, Quebec, with a load of 25,000 metric tonnes of naphtha. At about 1000(1), the vessel was instructed to go to bay Comeau to take two St.Lawrence pilots on board. The pilots normally board vessels at Les Escoumins, Quebec, but because of the severe ice conditions at the pilot station, the pilot boats could not be used. The vessel had only British Admiralty chart No.307, to a scale of 1:225,000, on board. At 1338, the wind was from the north-east at about 20 knots, and the current was south-westerly. The vessel was put on a heading of 090(T) and the main engine was stopped in approximate position 4913.1'N, 06804.3'W, to await the arrival of the pilots, who were expected at 1500. Before leaving the wheel-house, the master instructed the officer of the watch to keep the vessel on a heading of 090(T) and to use the engine if the vessel drifted toward the shoal. The vessel's position was checked a few times by radar, but it was not indicated on the chart. The automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) was not used. At 1411, the vessel suddenly swung to starboard. The engine was used in order to bring the vessel back on the right heading and move her away from the shoal. The manoeuvre failed, since the FIFI had already run aground in position 4912.6'N, 06805.5'W. The vessel was refloated the next day at about 1825 using two tugs and taking advantage of high tide. The FIFI was undamaged, and no injuries or pollution were reported as a result of this occurrence.